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Thursday 15 January 2015

Portrait of Billy!

I was so pleased to find this in a new folder on my desktop the other day! Hubby has been transferring old photos onto the computer so I found this folder that says 'Chris - pre 1995' - the year I moved in with him! In it there is a photo of my Grandad and my Mum at my wedding to my first husband. I have quite a few photos of my Mum and my Mum and Dad but none of my Grandad so I put a copy of it into 'Print Shop' and cropped it! 
If it is blown up it looks too grainy but fortunately the inspiration from various sources,( I love the way Tim uses his found relatives - now I have one of my own!) meant I could do something with it!There also just happens to be a challenge at A Vintage Journey that requires a portrait!

Some time ago I was lucky enough to win some amazing blog candy from lovely Alison and there were a couple of little hangings so I decided to use one of them - I covered it with torn up book paper and then coated it in a combination of Snowflake and Little Black Dress PA Frescos - quite streakily, then when it was dry used a dry brush to stroke on some Irish Cream.
 I then stamped it with a TH film strip and used the edge of the stamp to distress the photo


I found it easier to put the edges of the photo onto the stamp.
I crumpled some paper from a Tim pad and used some Remnant Rubs - Botanical set - bought last year but put away(err…to look at?)
I'm really impressed with these, I bought them, as I had tried them at Tim's workshop last year, I also used one of the word bands, painted with LBD and then partly wiped off!(I wanted it to look a little grimy) I used some twine from the scrap box on my desk to tie it on. The words sum up how I felt about my Grandad.  

Now, it's here I need to tell you about my Grandad! He fought in World War I and then worked on a farm and then for a firm of nurserymen in Lincoln until he retired! He was known as Billy and when my Dad went to work there too - also a William - my Dad had to change his name to Ken(his middle name so as not to be confused with his Dad) After his retirement Billy took to visiting the local tip and rescuing items he thought could be useful (yes, up-cycling is not a new thing)My first grown up bicycle was one such item - put together with an assortment of bike parts - hand painted in a lovely shade of sky blue! My Grandma though, wanted nothing to do with this 'hobby' and he had to enter through the back gate with his grubby finds and go straight to his shed!
My Grandad always had a twinkle in his eye and I loved visiting, especially as his garden led to the riverbank where there were swans who would wait for their daily treat!

I wanted the words to be at the centre of the hanging, the rubs represent his nursery life.

The next thing was to add something to represent his scrap metal finds - Cogs and buttons again painted in LBD and rubbed off lightly.
I used some more TH paper, used a distress tool around the edge and added Black Soot Distress ink, to mount the photo.

The twine at the top got the LBD treatment too as I thought it looked better!

I would like to enter in the following challenges

A Vintage Journey - 'Use a Portrait'

Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge blog - 'Choose your Challenge' - ink, paint,twine, stamping,distress tool, ephemera, button,brad.

Try it on Tuesdays - 'My Favourite Things' - easy - Texture and Embellishments(and Grandad!)

Craft Stamper Magazine - 'Take a Stamp' - the stamped film strip is to focus the eye on the photo.

Thanks for looking, Chris  



37 comments:

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

This is marvelous, Chris. I am super impressed, and followed along to the end. How wonderful that your grandfather dumpster dived. A man after my own heart. And of course, that tribute to him is simply out of this world.

Pamellia said...

WOW WOW WOW!!! This is absolutely incredible Chris!! I am just blown away by the amazing way you showcased your Grandad's photo! The colour palette is fabulous and your antiquing of the base is phenomenal!! There's just not a single thing here that I don't LOVE!! What a spectacular project, a winner for sure!! until next time, big hugs :)

Pamellia said...

I was so distracted by all the beauty of your creation that I forgot to say Thank you so much for joining us at Try It On Tuesday for our 'My Favourite Things' challenge! Hugs, Pamellia DT :)

Artyjen said...

That is sooooo fabulous.....if you don't win the Craft Stamper competition there is no justice! Love your "found relative" ;)
xoxo Sioux

Unknown said...

What an absolutely awesome mixed media piece!
Thanks for sharing with us at Craft Hoarders Anon :)

creative lady said...

Love your mixed media project! Thanks for sharing with Craft Hoarders Anonymous!

Elaine said...

A great project and a great story too! It'll be nice to hang your Grandad on your wall rather than leaving him in the depths of your computer!!

Julie Lee said...

i love this Chris! Billy looks such a character and I can well imagine his twinkly eyes! I love how you made this hanging so special with the 'scrap metal' finds. It's a lovely piece with fabulous texture - and what I love most - a great story of a character behind it! xxx

Margik said...

This project is so fabulous! Love all elements you've added. And I love the great story and the Grandad's photo, a fantastic tribute to him.
Thank you for joining us at Try it on Tuesday.
Mar x

crafty creations said...

Amazing project love everything about it- the elements are brilliant as is the wonderful photo of your grandfather

Unknown said...

Grandads are just so special!! There is so much sentiment in this piece Chris and he would be so proud to see this I'm sure. I love all your elements, the aged vintage 'film' effect you've created, but mostly your the pic of your grandad, how fabulous to have your own found relative picture for inspiration. :)
Hugs
Georgie xx

Redanne said...

Chris, your hanging is fabulous! I love that photo of your Granddad and the back story is so lovely - what fond memories you have. I love that you have a real found relative too! Thanks so much for joining us at A Vintage Journey. Hugs, Anne xx

massofhair said...

Rich in memories Chris, a pleasure to read how you came to make your amazing plaque and the journey you took along the way:-) xxx

Helen said...

Your Grandad sounds lovely! Great hanging plaque and I love the use of the photo.

Astrid Maclean said...

Oh Chris, this is such a great little hanger!! And how kind of your hubby to put that folder on your desk top! Such a great photo too and the way you have used it here with all these wonderful other elements looks fantastic! Love how this came together. Oh and thanks for adding it to the portrait challenge at AVJ!

ElizabethR said...

Chris this is just gorgeous, I love it. Thanks for joining in the Craft Stampers challenge and good luck, Elizabeth xxx

S@ndy Diller said...

What a priceless photo, you have presented it in the most stunning way. I looks as though you found it just that way. I love every bit of it. Thanks for sharing it with us at A Vintage Journey

Renee said...

Amazing canvas! Thanks for joining us at the CS Take It Make It Challenge. Wishing you the best.

Juliz Design Post said...

Love love love this Chris. Great to hear the story of your sweet Grandad, made you art work come to life. Great techniques. Thanks for joining in the challenge at AVJ and good luck..
Julie x

Anonymous said...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this Chris :) xxx

Glenda said...

What a wonderful piece you have creative! I love all the elements and that photo is priceless! Thanks for joining us at Craft Hoarders Anonymous!

Brenda Brown said...

A fabulous way to use the portrait of your granddad Chris, you really have shown him off to the world. Lovely to hear the background information about his life too. Great job. xxx

Brenda Brown said...

PS I meant to also say thank you for sharing your gorgeous family portrait at a Vintage Journey. xx

Mrs.B said...

A fabulous hanging Chris, such a great way to show off the picture of your Grandad. Love all the added elements.
Thanks for sharing with us at TioT
Avril xx

Shilpa Nagaonkar said...

Lovely image!! You have created beautiful hanging with this photograph, all elements you used here, perfectly matches with theme, clever one!!

Linda said...

WOW!! This is amazing ..... and what a fab little story too. Thank you for joining in with the Craft Stamper Challenge .... good luck! Linda xx

Words and Pictures said...

How lovely to see the plaque being put to such wonderful use! I adore the photo of your Grandad, with that twinkle of mischief in his eyes, and you've created a setting truly worthy of the picture. Great vintage neutrals, lovely grungy cogs, and the perfect Wordband. Love, love, love! Thanks so much for joining us on A Vintage Journey.
Alison xx

Kathy/NorthCarolina said...

This is such a lovely vignette...both the art and the words. I really enjoyed reading about your granddad...and the rustic quality of this piece is just wonderful! Thanks for sharing with us at Craft Hoarders Anonymous!

Ruth said...

Beautiful vintage piece and a lovely way to remember him. Ruth x

Gloria Stengel said...

Your project is just lovely. I like the gears and the rustic look. And that photo of your granddad! Wonderful. The story really touched my heart! Thanks for playing in our challenge at Craft Hoarders Anonymous!

Pammejo said...

Fabulous Mixed Media piece, love all the fabulous details and textures. Thanks for playing in our challenge at Craft Hoarders Anonymous!

Teresa said...

Really fun project and an amazing picture too. Thank you for sharing this beautiful project with all of us on the Craft Hoarders Challenge this month :) Have a wonderful crafty week!!

Tracy said...

Wow... beautiful post and stunning project, so happy you joined in at Craft Stampers Take it, Make it challenge xoxo

sarascloset said...

Wow, Chris I didn't get a chance to visit the blogs of my favorites this time around at a Vintage Journey (although I drooled over the thumbnails), but I saw you were picked as a Pinworthy and had to come have a closer look. Congratulations, and I can see why yours was chosen! This is absolutely amazing! And I loved to read about your Grandad! He sounded like such an interesting man, and his hobby sounds amazingly like my Dad's! He brought home some of the most amazing things, and now the hobby has trickled down to me :)! Well done, Chris!

sarascloset said...

Wow, Chris I didn't get a chance to visit the blogs of my favorites this time around at a Vintage Journey (although I drooled over the thumbnails), but I saw you were picked as a Pinworthy and had to come have a closer look. Congratulations, and I can see why yours was chosen! This is absolutely amazing! And I loved to read about your Grandad! He sounded like such an interesting man, and his hobby sounds amazingly like my Dad's! He brought home some of the most amazing things, and now the hobby has trickled down to me :)! Well done, Chris!

Ruth said...

Congratulations Chris, so pleased for you, it 's a fabulous piece! Ruth x

wendipooh13 said...

amazing!!! great guy project!!! Thanks for joining our challenge at Craft Hoarders Anonymous!